Sonya Rene Franklin Obituary (1963 - 2018)

It is with great sadness that the family of Sonya Rene (Cain) Franklin, age 54, announces her passing on March 10, 2018. She left peacefully in the early morning hours surrounded by her family. A daughter, sister, and mother, Rene was above all things, a beautiful soul. Born in Zachary, Louisiana on October 23, 1963, to Jennings and Margaret Cain, Rene grew up mostly in the small town of Baker, Louisiana. Following the death of her father in 1976, she and Margaret spent some time in Hawaii before settling in Houston, Texas. It is there that Rene married Robert Franklin, the father of her only child, Rachel. Rene loved to laugh, dance, cook, and saw every beautiful day as an opportunity to find adventure. Ever the wanderlust, always fiery in both joy and anger, she would have urged us all to not mourn her death, but celebrate her life. She is survived by her mother, Margaret Cain, sister, Sonya Allday, her daughter, Rachel Franklin, and a community of friends who saw her as family. Family, friends, and others whose lives Rene touched are invited to share in a Celebration of Life this Saturday, March 17, 2018. Join us for visitation starting at 9:00 a.m, with Memorial Services to follow at 10:00 a.m. at Carnes Funeral Home, 3100 Gulf Freeway, Texas City, TX 77591. From The Beauty Of DeathXiv by Khalil Gibran Let me rest in the arms of Slumber, for my open eyes are tired; Let the silver-stringed lyre quiver and soothe my spirit; Weave from the harp and lute a veil around my withering heart. Sing of the past as you behold the dawn of hope in my eyes, for Its magic meaning is a soft bed upon which my heart rests. Dry your tears, my friends, and raise your heads as the flowers Raise their crowns to greet the dawn. Look at the bride of Death standing like a column of light Between my bed and the infinite; Hold your breath and listen with me to the beckoning rustle of Her white wings. I have passed a mountain peak and my soul is soaring in the Firmament of complete and unbound freedom; I am far, far away, my companions, and the clouds are Hiding the hills from my eyes. The valleys are becoming flooded with an ocean of silence, and the Hands of oblivion are engulfing the roads and the houses; The prairies and fields are disappearing behind a white specter That looks like the spring cloud, yellow as the candlelight And red as the twilight. The songs of the waves and the hymns of the streams Are scattered, and the voices of the throngs reduced to silence; And I can hear naught but the music of Eternity In exact harmony with the spirit's desires. I am cloaked in full whiteness; I am in comfort; I am in peace. Unwrap me from this white linen shroud and clothe me With leaves of jasmine and lilies; Take my body from the ivory casket and let it rest Upon pillows of orange blossoms. Lament me not, but sing songs of youth and joy; Shed not tears upon me, but sing of harvest and the winepress; Utter no sigh of agony, but draw upon my face with your Finger the symbol of Love and Joy. Disturb not the air's tranquility with chanting and requiems, But let your hearts sing with me the song of Eternal Life; Mourn me not with apparel of black, But dress in color and rejoice with me; Talk not of my departure with sighs in your hearts; close Your eyes and you will see me with you forevermore. Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die. Mary Elizabeth Frye ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Acknowledgements: The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all those who lifted Rene's spirits and cheered her on during her battle with cancer, and continue to support us now during this time of loss.